Table 14. Comparison of USDA Estimates of Potential CAFOs

Comparison of USDA estimates of potential CAFOs derived from the 1997 Census of Agriculture* and estimates by EPA published in the Federal Register for four size classes defined by EPA.

1,000 EPA animal units

750 EPA animal units

500 EPA animal units

300 EPA animal units

EPA estimates

USDA estimates

USDA estimates as a percent of EPA estimates

EPA estimates

USDA estimates

USDA estimates as a percent of EPA estimates

EPA estimates

USDA estimates

USDA estimates as a percent of EPA estimates

EPA estimates

USDA estimates

USDA estimates as a percent of EPA estimates

Cattle

2,080

1,969

94.7%

2,480

2,464

99.4%

3,080

3,420

111.0%

4,080

5,098

125.0%

Confined heifers

300

535

178.3%

420

626

149.0%

800

816

102.0%

1,050

1,125

107.1%

Veal

10

38

380.0%

40

47

117.5%

90

77

85.6%

210

132

62.9%

Dairy

1,450

1,469

101.3%

2,260

2,069

91.5%

3,760

3,424

91.1%

7,140

7,138

100.0%

All hogs and pigs

4,090

4,080

99.8%

5,760

5,649

98.1%

8,550

8,566

100.2%

14,370

14,229

99.0%

Grow-finish

1,670

2,300

2,690

4,920

Farrow-finish

2,420

3,460

5,860

9,450

All chickens

4,580

3,719

81.2%

9,240

6,375

69.0%

11,420

10,817

94.7%

16,190

16,097

99.4%

Broilers

3,940

7,780

9,780

14,140

Layers, wet

50

210

360

360

Layers, dry

590

1,250

1,280

1,690

Turkeys

370

451

121.9%

740

711

96.1%

1,280

1,185

92.6%

2,100

2,051

97.7%

Sum over all types**

12,880

12,261

95.2%

20,940

17,941

85.7%

28,980

28,305

97.7%

45,140

45,870

101.6%

Total CAFOs

12,660

11,398

90.0%

19,100

16,897

88.5%

25,540

27,012

105.8%

39,320

44,366

112.8%

Adjustment for double counting*

220

863

1,840

1,044

3,440

1,293

5,820

1,504

* Information in the Census of Agriculture is not adequate to precisely identify a farm as a CAFO. Potential CAFOs were estimated based on the livestock type and the estimated number of animals on the farm.
** Farms that qualify as potential CAFOs for more than one livestock type are double counted when summed over livestock types.